Mitt Romney endorsed by some Iowa lawmakers
By Charlotte Eby, Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Thursday, April 05, 2007
DES MOINES -- Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney rolled out endorsements from a group of Iowa lawmakers Wednesday after figures released this week showed him leading the Republican presidential field in fundraising.
At a news conference at the Iowa State Capitol, Romney touted his record as governor, saying he helped balance the state budget and would apply those same principles if he is elected president.
Romney called Washington dysfunctional for its failure to deal with overspending, conceding Republicans spent too much during the time they controlled Congress.
"That's one of the reasons I'm running for office is to fix Washington, to change the course in Washington, to bring integration and transformation to government and to rein in the overspending there so that we live within our means," Romney said.
He pointed to the line-item vetoes he issued as governor of Massachusetts to reduce spending, and said he was able to balance the budget and make sure everyone had everyone had health insurance without raising taxes.
House Minority Leader Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, said the reason Romney had more support among Iowa lawmakers than any other GOP presidential candidate was they see Romney as a problem solver who is fiscally responsible.
"I think that the other leading contenders aren't viewed as strong standard-bearers for our party," Rants said.
So far, Romney's fundraising abilities have not translated to support in the polls, which show him trailing Rudy Giuliani and John McCain.
But Romney said the key for him will be to do well in the states that hold their primaries and caucuses early with the idea it will give him nationwide exposure. He said his efforts so far have been concentrated on the contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
"I don't put a lot of stock in the nationwide polls, which are at this stage largely name recognition polls. I put much more interest in how we're doing in the places where I'm spending time," Romney said.
During Wednesday's news conference, Romney also blasted Democrats in Congress for what he called playing politics on the war in Iraq and reiterated his support for President Bush's plan to increase the number of troops there.
"I'm going to suggest that the Democrats in Washington provide the funding necessary to support the foreign policy which is established by the president of the United States. It is not up to Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to dictate to the commanders in the field or to the commander in chief," Romney said.
Those endorsing Romney Wednesday include Sen. Jim Hahn, R-Muscatine; Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan; Sen. Dave Mulder, R-Sioux Center; Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale; Rep. Dave Deyoe, R-Nevada; Rep. Linda Miller, R-Bettendorf; Rep. Doug Struyk, R-Council Bluffs; Rep. David Tjepkes, R-Gowrie; Rep. Jodi Tymeson, R-Winterset; Rep. Ralph Watts, R-Adel; Rep. Tami Wiencek, R-Waterloo.
Charlotte Eby can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
At a news conference at the Iowa State Capitol, Romney touted his record as governor, saying he helped balance the state budget and would apply those same principles if he is elected president.
Romney called Washington dysfunctional for its failure to deal with overspending, conceding Republicans spent too much during the time they controlled Congress.
"That's one of the reasons I'm running for office is to fix Washington, to change the course in Washington, to bring integration and transformation to government and to rein in the overspending there so that we live within our means," Romney said.
He pointed to the line-item vetoes he issued as governor of Massachusetts to reduce spending, and said he was able to balance the budget and make sure everyone had everyone had health insurance without raising taxes.
House Minority Leader Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, said the reason Romney had more support among Iowa lawmakers than any other GOP presidential candidate was they see Romney as a problem solver who is fiscally responsible.
"I think that the other leading contenders aren't viewed as strong standard-bearers for our party," Rants said.
So far, Romney's fundraising abilities have not translated to support in the polls, which show him trailing Rudy Giuliani and John McCain.
But Romney said the key for him will be to do well in the states that hold their primaries and caucuses early with the idea it will give him nationwide exposure. He said his efforts so far have been concentrated on the contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
"I don't put a lot of stock in the nationwide polls, which are at this stage largely name recognition polls. I put much more interest in how we're doing in the places where I'm spending time," Romney said.
During Wednesday's news conference, Romney also blasted Democrats in Congress for what he called playing politics on the war in Iraq and reiterated his support for President Bush's plan to increase the number of troops there.
"I'm going to suggest that the Democrats in Washington provide the funding necessary to support the foreign policy which is established by the president of the United States. It is not up to Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to dictate to the commanders in the field or to the commander in chief," Romney said.
Those endorsing Romney Wednesday include Sen. Jim Hahn, R-Muscatine; Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan; Sen. Dave Mulder, R-Sioux Center; Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale; Rep. Dave Deyoe, R-Nevada; Rep. Linda Miller, R-Bettendorf; Rep. Doug Struyk, R-Council Bluffs; Rep. David Tjepkes, R-Gowrie; Rep. Jodi Tymeson, R-Winterset; Rep. Ralph Watts, R-Adel; Rep. Tami Wiencek, R-Waterloo.
Charlotte Eby can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
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DEBATER wrote on Apr 6, 2007 11:42 AM:
Cameron wrote on Apr 6, 2007 2:47 AM:
DB wrote on Apr 5, 2007 2:27 PM: